Page 34 of Married Into Love

“You said you couldn’t go to pay off the bookie,” I reminded her. “But that’s not going to be an issue because I’m not taking youwithme.”

She leaned over the table to glare at me. “You can’t go by yourself! What if something goeswrong?”

“It’d be a fuck of a lot worse if you were with me and things went sideways because the only thing that would matter to me would be getting you out ofthere.”

“Alec,” she sighed, slumping back in her seat. “I can’t argue when you say sweet stuff like that. What am I going to dowithyou?”

“You’re going to wait at the hotel for me while you let me handle your mom’s bookie. That’s what you’re goingtodo.”

“If she shows up,” she muttered before taking a big bite of herburger.

The moan she made while she was chewing reminded me of how she sounded when I was inside her, and my cock flexed in response. Considering we were in the middle of a fast food place waiting for her mom—who I’d never met—to join us so we could talk about paying off her bookie, it was an inopportune time for a hard on. So I tuned out her sexy little sounds and focused on finishing my meal. It was damn good, even without the bun, and I was glad she’d suggested I give the placeatry.

When she finished, she dumped her trash onto the tray between us and patted her belly. “At least if my mom doesn’t show up, the trip won’t have been wasted because I got my double-doublefix.”

“She’llbehere.”

“Part of me hopes so”—she placed her elbow on the table and leaned her chin on her palm—“but there’s another side that almost wishes she decides not to come because it might just be the start to an endless cycle of her asking us for money every time she needs to be bailed out oftrouble.”

“Let’s add another string to the deal,” I suggested. “She has to agree to enter a rehab facility to help with her gambling addiction. That way, we’re not just enabling her to do the same thing all over again. It’ll only be harder for you when we move to Chicago because you won’t just be worried about her, you’ll feel guilty about being sofaraway.”

“It’ll only work if she really gives it a chance,” shewhispered.

“That will be up to her, Alessia. But at least you’ll know you did everything you couldforher.”

“You’re right,” she agreed, her eyes going wide when she looked over myshoulder.

I turned my head and spotted a woman walking towards us. Her hair was blond, but streaked with gray, and she had green eyes. Odds were good she was younger than my mom, but she looked at least a decade older. I quickly slid out of my side of the booth and scooted in next to Alessia, before her mom could take that spot. I knew it was the right decision when I laced my fingers through hers and she squeezedtight.

“Mom.”

“Alessia,” her mom returned her one-word greeting before shifting her focus to me. “And who exactly are you, AlecRourke?”

“Your son-in-law, Mrs.Valenti.”

She gasped at my response, sending an accusing glare at Alessia. “You got married and didn’ttellme?”

“You didn’t exactly give me a chance to share the news with you, Mom. You were ignoring my calls, remember? You only bothered to call me back because you neededmoney.”

“Still,” her mommuttered.

“Treat Alessia with respect, or we’re out of here,” Iwarned.

“Fine,” she huffed, switching her attention back to me. “Since we’re not bothering with the pleasantries, I guess I’ll cut to the chase. I owe my bookie five thousand dollars. You said youcouldhelp.”

“Ican.”

“He only takes cash.” Her gaze darted down to where Alessia and my hands rested on top of her purse. “Did you stop at the bank already? Or should we gotherenow?”

“That’s not how this is going to work,” I informed her. “You’re going to give me the name and contact information for your bookie. I’m going to set up a meeting with him to pay offyourdebt.”

“I don’tthink—”

“It’snonnegotiable.”

“But—”

“You’ve got five minutes todecide.”

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